Stephen Metcalfe, local MP
for South Basildon and East Thurrock, recently attended the Institute of
Physics’ (IOP) exhibition in Parliament in order to support the Institute’s
Innovation Awards.
Hosted by the Secretary of
State for Business, Innovation and Skills, The Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP, the
awards celebrate companies that have managed to successfully commercialise a
physics-based innovation – contributing millions of pounds to the UK economy.
This year’s five winners
were: Coherent Scotland Ltd, which has developed an ultrafast laser system
for medical imaging; Tracerco Ltd, which has produced a leading
gamma-radiation based tool for pipe measurement in the oil and gas
industry; Zephir Ltd, which has designed a portable Light Detection and
Ranging device that can assess a site’s suitability for a wind farm; Elekta
Ltd, which has produced a beam-shaping device for targeted radiotherapy;
and Simpleware Ltd, which has developed a software solution that converts
3-D images into high-quality computer models.
Local MP Mr Metcalfe commented: “It’s great to see innovative businesses that
are helping to drive the UK economy being rewarded for their hard-work and
original thinking by the IOP.”
“We have companies here that
are researching high-tech medical treatments which are benefiting families in
South Basildon and East Thurrock who have been impacted by illnesses like
cancer – that’s physics with a real practical application.”
Dr Frances Saunders,
President of the Institute of Physics, added, “Nearly ten per cent of the UK’s
economic output is due to physics-based businesses like those being celebrated
at the awards. These companies show how the innovative application of
physics research can create both world-changing technologies and successful
businesses.”
The IOP Innovation Awards are
a unique celebration of commercial success built on physics. To find out
more about how physics is driving economic growth across the UK, including a
regional breakdown, see the Importance of Physics to Economic Growth:
https://www.iop.org/publications/iop/2013/file_60318.pdf
To learn more about the
winning companies and for quotes from them visit: ttp://www.iop.org/activity/business/innovation/2013-winners/page_60481.html.
